1977 Chevy C10 known as SharkBite

[77ChevySharkBite]

what had happend was, apparently I didn't put on the timing cover correctly mainly the rubber piece that goes on the bottom. Well I thought it was flush, so I noticed there was leaking oil already because of the rear main seal and didn't worry about it a lot well when I went and drove it I floored it one time and I didn't know at the time but the rubber piece fell off and actually caused it to leak more so that's what I have to repair.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Well i'm done for the night I've followed all instructions for install and it still ain't going on so tomorrow if I have the time going to undo the oil pan and then put it back it and pray that solves my issues

[bnoon]

Originally Posted by Claytona08

Man nice pics of some beautiful rides! I like the Salt Flat rims. Here is a picture I found...I think on this website (I really can't remember where I found it)

OMG, I'm going to stare at that picture for the entire afternoon!

[77ChevySharkBite]

Well I come bearing semi good news

I do owe a HUGE thanks 67 c10 guy for helping me yet again. I have to admit tonight is definitely the dirtiest I've been but now i'm best friends with my motor

Well I got the seal put on correctly no leaks or anything but something else presented an issue. It seems as if I've sprung yet another leak it seems as if one of the water pump gaskets is leaking so the agenda for tomorrow this weekend is fix the leak.

[knomadd]

It's always something with these old motors/vehicles, isn't it?

[77ChevySharkBite]

Yeah it's a something like that, but when they work they work flawlessly

But I rather be getting this out of the way now than later.

[77ChevySharkBite]

So now it's 1 of 2 things now, either i'm not cut out for projects or my truck has a mind of its own! I think its my truck has a little bit of a mind of its own.

So apparently between a week or so ago when I pulled the truck into the garage and up until now I've done something wrong or my truck is confused as of right now it'll spin all day long but it won't turn over.

I checked my battery and alternator both have good power both have about 14v but when I checked for spark I wasn't getting anything so check the wires going to the dizzy anyone else have suggestions or where I can maybe look. Fuel isn't getting to the carb at all either not sure if that helps any and I know I do have gas in the truck.

[Greenlee]

If you pour a little fuel in the carb does it bust off? Sounds like you are not sure if you are getting fuel or spark. Usually one of the two is the problem.

After seeing the problems you have had with the harmonic balancer, carb linkage etc I wish you would have gone with the motor I had. I think it would have been cheaper than all the parts you just bought and it needed absolutely nothing. Good luck getting this figured out.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Yeah I agree whats the possibility of ignition module? I even pulled a plug to see if I could see any sort of spark and I still saw nothing.

Yeah its starting to seem like a better investment huh? I mean yes it frustrating but it's finally a chance for me to get hands on experience with working with a motor. I'm very grateful for the offer you gave me, never know still might get it one day

[Sodell]

Did you ground the plug ?

[77ChevySharkBite]

Yes sodell I did ground it and I didn't see anything happening.

[knomadd]

Hey Korwin, did you get this sorted out?

[77ChevySharkBite]

I sure didn't, it's still sitting in my driveway not running.

[knomadd]

OK. So for fuel, I assume it ran when you parked it, so it should still work. If the truck has been sitting for a couple of weeks without running, the fuel has likely evaporated from the carb and needs to be refilled... meaning you'll need to crank it for a little while and pump the gas until it starts. Or, crank it and hold the pedal to the floor, like you would do if the carb was flooded. Only crank it for about 15 seconds and stop for about 5 so you don't kill the battery in one shot. If you still don't have fuel, check your filter (cheapest thing to replace) and try again. If that doesn't work, you'll probably need to replace the pump.

As for spark, if you pull a plug wire and hold it (with a pair of rubber handled pliers) within an inch of the block and have someone crank the engine, you should see spark, if not then the dizzy isn't getting power. So, check your fuse block to make sure you didn't blow a fuse. Then check your wires to make sure (1) they are correct, and (2) they are connected firmly to the terminals. If those check out, pull your cap and check your rotor to see if it's still in good shape. If not, replace both the cap and rotor. If that doesn't work, I'd replace your coil and try again. If you STILL don't have spark, the ignition module will likely be your problem.

[knomadd]

Oh, you may need to try the crank cycle for a minute or two before you get fuel in the carb. Have someone watch the carb for fuel while you're cranking (not too close in case it back-fires) We wouldn't want anyone to lose any eyebrows

[77ChevySharkBite]

If I can out the fuel filter aside from it being brand new what's the advantages to it? Would it help suction? I did indeed try to crank for a good 10 seconds suggesting what you did and nothing happened. I'm honestly thinking it's fuel related.

Reason I say that is I've let it sit for 2 weeks before just gave it some time and it cranked up eventually.

I'll double check all my fuses though because like you said never know it could be a simple fuse.

[SkinnyG]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

as of right now it'll spin all day long but it won't turn over.

By "spin" do you mean you can hear the starter motor spinning?

And by "won't turn over" do you mean the starter motor does not physically rotate the crankshaft of the engine? (This would be the correct definition of "turn over").

If so - the starter bendix or the bendix fork inside the starter is likely broken.

If by "spin" you mean the crankshaft is physically being turned by the starter motor, and by "turn over" you mean "start and run," then the issue is either fuel or spark.

Spark is easy to check.

A weak fuel pump and/or air leaks in the fuel lines can be a fuel problem. My '77 had both.

Do you have dual tanks? A plugged tank switch can restrict fuel as well (another issue on my '77).

[knomadd]

To help you understand how the fuel system works, I'll explain a little for you... I'm a Civil Engineer, so there are all kinds of terms I can use to relate this, but I'll try to keep it to the car guy lingo.

The level of fuel in your gas tank (above the pump) applies pressure (called head pressure) to the pump. Think of it like holding a large bucket of water with one arm above your head. It's heavy, right? Your gas tank is like that. Fuel has weight, so it is forced out of the tank by the weight through the fuel line to the pump. Your pump applies more pressure to lift the fuel to the carb. So the system is run on pressure.

If your filter is clogged with dirt, rust, whatever, it can't push the fuel through it. Even if your filter is new, it can clog if you have junk in your tank.

so, forget the filter for now... how long did you try to crank the engine before you gave up?

[knomadd]

I should clarify that if you have an in-tank fuel pump (I'm sure you don't) those types of pumps operate on suction for the inlet, but pressure for outlet.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

By "spin" do you mean you can hear the starter motor spinning?

And by "won't turn over" do you mean the starter motor does not physically rotate the crankshaft of the engine? (This would be the correct definition of "turn over").

If so - the starter bendix or the bendix fork inside the starter is likely broken.

If by "spin" you mean the crankshaft is physically being turned by the starter motor, and by "turn over" you mean "start and run," then the issue is either fuel or spark.

Spark is easy to check.

A weak fuel pump and/or air leaks in the fuel lines can be a fuel problem. My '77 had both.

Do you have dual tanks? A plugged tank switch can restrict fuel as well (another issue on my '77).

I can't verify that I can audbile hear the starter spinning.

Yes everything spins but makes no attempt to turn over, so I would think the starter isn't engaging to the crankshaft to start and run.

I do have dual tanks but my passenger tank doesn't work at all so I don't believe thats my issue but it is something I want to get fixed eventually.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by knomadd

To help you understand how the fuel system works, I'll explain a little for you... I'm a Civil Engineer, so there are all kinds of terms I can use to relate this, but I'll try to keep it to the car guy lingo.

The level of fuel in your gas tank (above the pump) applies pressure (called head pressure) to the pump. Think of it like holding a large bucket of water with one arm above your head. It's heavy, right? Your gas tank is like that. Fuel has weight, so it is forced out of the tank by the weight through the fuel line to the pump. Your pump applies more pressure to lift the fuel to the carb. So the system is run on pressure.

If your filter is clogged with dirt, rust, whatever, it can't push the fuel through it. Even if your filter is new, it can clog if you have junk in your tank.

so, forget the filter for now... how long did you try to crank the engine before you gave up?

Got it I understand it for the most part

I was roughly cranking it for about 10seconds and would give it 5 second breaks and I did that 3 times and then gave up.

[SkinnyG]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

Yes everything spins

Do you see the fan turning when you do this?

Your fuel tanks/pumps have to suck the fuel ~up~ out of the tank, since the tank outlet is on the top. Any wee air leaks in the lines between the tank and pump will reduce the available suction from the pump to the fuel in the tank. Any restriction (in-tank "sock," after-pump filter, or in-carb filter) will reduce flow.

Do you know that you have spark or not?

(I'm not a civil engineer, but I do teach high school Auto Mechanics for a living.)

* I wish I had all your chrome trim for my '77. Ain't got none of it on mine.

[knomadd]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

Got it I understand it for the most part

I was roughly cranking it for about 10seconds and would give it 5 second breaks and I did that 3 times and then gave up.

That's probably not long enough to get the fuel to your carb. I've let my GTO sit for a week and had to crank it for about 30 seconds before I got fuel. When I let it sit for a few weeks, It takes considerably longer. I think the longest it took was about 2 minutes of crank and wait, crank and wait, crank and wait....

[knomadd]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Do you see the fan turning when you do this?

Your fuel tanks/pumps have to suck the fuel ~up~ out of the tank, since the tank outlet is on the top. Any wee air leaks in the lines between the tank and pump will reduce the available suction from the pump to the fuel in the tank. Any restriction (in-tank "sock," after-pump filter, or in-carb filter) will reduce flow.

Do you know that you have spark or not?

(I'm not a civil engineer, but I do teach high school Auto Mechanics for a living.)

* I wish I had all your chrome trim for my '77. Ain't got none of it on mine.

Oops... forgot about the factory pickup. I've got an aftermarket tank. Sorry if you took my comments to be insulting. No insult or offense meant.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Do you see the fan turning when you do this?

Your fuel tanks/pumps have to suck the fuel ~up~ out of the tank, since the tank outlet is on the top. Any wee air leaks in the lines between the tank and pump will reduce the available suction from the pump to the fuel in the tank. Any restriction (in-tank "sock," after-pump filter, or in-carb filter) will reduce flow.

Do you know that you have spark or not?

(I'm not a civil engineer, but I do teach high school Auto Mechanics for a living.)

* I wish I had all your chrome trim for my '77. Ain't got none of it on mine.

Yes my fan is indeed turning that was one of the first things I checked.

When I did a spark test initially I didn't see anything happening but I read from another member that I need to hold it closer to the block and have a friend turn the key to see if I'm getting spark, because when I did the spark test so that I could see plug wire, I had it held on the brake booster resvoir just under the bar to keep it from moving.

Thanks for the compliment on the chrome, it's really worth the money I think. I'm not a huge fan of chrome but on classics I think it looks good if there's a little chrome to compliment the motor.

Originally Posted by knomadd

That's probably not long enough to get the fuel to your carb. I've let my GTO sit for a week and had to crank it for about 30 seconds before I got fuel. When I let it sit for a few weeks, It takes considerably longer. I think the longest it took was about 2 minutes of crank and wait, crank and wait, crank and wait....

Oh wow maybe that's what I need to do then.


I will also add that when I stop trying to crank the truck up, and turn the key in the off position and then try to crank it sounds like it wants to crank but then it just spins.